Event Details

From the initial idea to launching a new venture, an entrepreneur encounters legal questions every step of the way.

Northwestern University School of Law's Ninth Annual Entrepreneurship Law Conference is designed as a forum to explore various legal issues that entrepreneurs face when considering new ventures. Panel discussions include such topics as entity selection, founder agreements, venture and angel financing, intellectual property, and employment issues. The focus of each of these discussions is to provide practical, relevant information on these and other legal issues.

Joe Dwyer, the 2014 Distinguished Entrepreneur award recipient, is the keynote speaker for the conference. He will be joined by an impressive list of panelists.

Space is limited. Based on past experience as well as the exciting roster of panelists and participants, we expect the conference will be fully subscribed. Attendees come from various backgrounds, including start-up executives, aspiring entrepreneurs, financiers, service providers, thought leaders, and students from law, business and engineering schools as well as high school students enrolled in entrepreneurship classes. Due to this overwhelming interest, please register early to reserve your spot.

Panel Discussions

Financing the New Venture. At the early stages of an idea, financing could be the difference between success and failure. Our panelists will include prominent investors to give insight into what they look for in the companies they choose to fund, entrepreneurs who have gone through the funding process, and attorneys who have negotiated the terms of the deals.

Legal Tips for Starting a Business. You have an idea for an exciting new product or service, you’re ready to get started - - now what? This panel will offer practical legal advice for entrepreneurs in the beginning stages of business. What is the best structure for you? What do you need to know now to set yourself up for success? With a variety of leading attorneys and entrepreneurs who have been through this process, this panel will be full of practical information for anyone in the process of launching a new business.

IP Issues & Brand Protection. Often times the intellectual property of a new company is its most valuable asset. However, many entrepreneurs don't know the legal steps which need to be taken in order to proect the IP. This panel will have leading IP attorneys and entrepreneurs who have navigated IP issues to help you make good decisions.

Northwestern University School of Law
375 E Chicago Ave Chicago,
IL 60611

Saturday, March 1, 2014 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM (CST)

Organizer

Entrepreneurship Law Center

The Conference is being hosted by Northwestern University School of Law's Entrepreneurship Law Center (the “ELC”) and organized by the ELC Student Group. The ELC is a non-profit, student-based clinical program affiliated with the Bluhm Legal Clinic. The ELC was one of the first transactional clinics of its kind at any major law school in the country. Founded in 1997, the ELC has given law students, working under the supervision of attorneys with many years of corporate and transactional experience, the opportunity to provide legal counsel to hundreds of entrepreneurs and businesses, on topics ranging from entity formation to intellectual property protection to contract drafting and licensing.